...and the responders would probably be wondering where the thread went, if it were deleted!

My suggestion: reply to the main post in the thread, stating that the study is closed, or you need no more beta testers, or something like that. That will be the best way to "close" the thread (short of an Admin locking it, but I think a message from you would still be best!). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

have CaroMichelle compose a little 'study closed' message that a mod can add to the first post in the thread.

I swear, a good portion of people read NO replies to a thread before making their own reply. I think I read one last week where a question was asked, answered in one (or both) of the first two posts and the third post answered as if it were still an open question.

The thing is, some people might not read a reply by CaroMichelle before trying to follow directions in the original post or they might read it after trying to follow directions in the original post.

Hi both, Thanks for those thoughts and suggestions. I have already responded to all those who left replies offering to do the betatest, and sent them the link, so I don't think closing this thread will be a problem. However we've now moved from the beta testing phase to the survey going live, and what I would like to be able to do is delete this old (redundant) message asking for beta testers, which we no longer need, and post the new 'survey launched' message on the main page. (Another moderator deleted my second invitation message, which I had posted in the Movies - Hobbit forum). The betatesting request should really be deleted; otherwise there will be conflicting information. Is that ok?